Roid Rage

Join a captivating discussion about the intriguing challenges of deep space communication. Discover how weak signals and small antennas complicate conversations with spacecraft millions of kilometers away. The speakers share humorous career anecdotes and highlight the evolution of rocket technology. Learn about the complexities of maneuvering spacecraft and the reliability of tools beyond lunar orbit. Plus, dive into the thrilling prospects of exploring ancient asteroids and their cosmic secrets. Space exploration has never sounded so fun!

Landing on an asteroid is a galaxy-sized challenge! The hosts delve into the intricacies of navigating the vast void without GPS or atmosphere. Precision tracking and advanced technology are fundamental for successful landings. They share hilarious yet enlightening tales about the unique mechanics involved and the critical role of propulsion choices. From managing approach speeds to adapting to unpredictable gravitational fields, there's never a dull moment in the quest for deep space exploration.

Hans Königsmann, former VP of Reliability at SpaceX and an early hire, shares his vast expertise in ensuring rocket safety. He recounts harrowing tales from the early Falcon 1 launches, emphasizing lessons learned from failures. Discussions about the importance of in-house manufacturing and the evolution of risk management practices highlight innovations in aerospace. Königsmann also dives into the complexities of reusable rockets and the current challenges facing the Starship program, underscoring the balance of innovation and dependability in space exploration.

Dr. Cristina Thomas, an associate professor at Northern Arizona University, specializes in asteroid spectroscopy and was key in the DART mission. She breaks down how M-type asteroids are classified and why identifying them is messier than we think. The discussion includes the origins of near-Earth asteroids from the main belt and the potential for mining them in the future. They also explore the fascinating possibility of microbial life on asteroids, blending science with humor as they speculate about retrieving metals from these celestial bodies.

Al Conrad, a seasoned astronomer from the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory, shares his wealth of knowledge on asteroid observation. He dives into the art and science of using powerful telescopes, explaining how Earth's atmosphere affects clarity and the role of adaptive optics. Al discusses the curious case of Oumuamua and the ongoing quest to understand extraterrestrial life, all while infusing humor into the challenges of telescope time proposals and asteroid naming. An engaging mix of insights and stories awaits!

What does success look like when you’re building a deep space mission on a startup budget? In this week's episode of Roid Rage, Chap (CoS), Robyn (COO), and Matt (CEO) break down how AstroForge approaches mission requirements — and why our version differs from the traditional playbook.'Why Starting A Rocket Engine Is So Hard' by Everday Astronaut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAUVCn_jw5I

Demyan Lantuk, a Senior Mission Operations Engineer at AstroForge, shares his expertise in the intricacies of asteroid mining missions. He discusses the real-world challenges of launch schedules and the need for precise trajectory calculations. The conversation delves into the complexities of spacecraft design, financial hurdles in data management, and the humorous side of working with evolving software. With a blend of technical insights and light-hearted banter, Demyan paints a vivid picture of the future of space exploration and innovation.

In this episode of Roid Rage, we’re digging into how we build — and deliberately break — our Concept of Operations (ConOps) at AstroForge. Chap (CoS) is joined by Robyn (COO) and Matt (CEO) for a candid look at what actually goes into operational planning for a deep space mining mission.

In this engaging discussion, Ashton McGinnis, Head of Space Systems at AstroForge, reveals his journey from mathematics to asteroid mining, driven by a lifelong passion for space. He shares valuable lessons learned while building the spacecraft Odin, emphasizing the intricate challenges of deep space mission engineering. Ashton highlights the importance of rigorous hardware testing and learning from failures, along with the role of effective communication in enhancing team dynamics and vendor management. With a mix of humor and insight, he paints a vivid picture of the realities of aerospace engineering.

Dive into the intricate world of flight software with engineering experts discussing the challenges of building reliable systems for deep space missions. Discover how they decided on the NVIDIA Xavier CPU, and the benefits of Rust in reducing memory bugs. Learn about the complexities of microservices in space tech and the importance of thorough testing. The conversation even touches on balancing curiosity with reliability, illuminating the unique qualities of successful flight software engineers.